Time controlled actuator



Nov; 14, 1967 J. L. HARRIS 3,352,381 TIME CONTROLLED ACTUATOR Filed March 21, 1966 I 5 Sheets-Sheet l JAWWR WKM N V- 14, 1967 J. HARRIS 3,352,381

Filed March 21, 1966 TIME CONTROLLED ACTUATOR 5 Sheets$heet 2 Wad/640w Nov. 14, .1967

J.L.HARRE TIME CONTROLLED ACTUATOR Filed March 21, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 SPRING COMPLETELY WOUND United States Patent TIME CONTROLLED ACTUATOR John L. Harris, Whitefish Bay, Wis., assignor to Deltrol Controls Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Mar. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 536,019 9 Claims. (Cl. 185-40) This invention relates to time controlled actuators for controlling valves for automatic water softeners, etc.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and low cost mechanism for actuating a valve or other control device to predetermined positions at predetermined times.

A further object of the invention is to provide a time controlled actuator in which a single timer motor drives both the timing mechanism and actuator, the timer motor driving the actuator through a spring which is restrained and released in a predetermined schedule by the timing mechanism.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description and appended claims.

For a full disclosure of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the time controlled actuator showing the 7 day dial and cycle dial arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a side view partly in section;

FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the adjustable cycle dial and valve actuator mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG- URE 2 showing the winder clutch mechanism at the point of releasing;

FIG. 5 is a top view of FIGURE 4 partly broken away;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing the clutch mechanism in full driving relationship;

FIG. 7 is a similar view but showing the clutch mechanism in dis-engaged position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG- URE 2;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the mechanism partly in section taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, reference character 1 indicates the main base plate for the control mechanism. This base plate supports by means of spacers such as 2 and 3 a middle plate 4 and a front plate 5. As shown in FIGURE 3, the base plate 1 is adapted for mounting on a mounting bracket 6. The bracket 6 is mounted on a panel 7 carrying a valve body 8 of a slide type valve such as used for controlling water softeners. The valve 8 includes a longitudinally movable valve stem 9 which is pivotally connected to a link 10. This link 10 is attached to a pin 11 carried by the rotating operating member 12. It will be apparent that rotation of the operating member 12 to different angular positions causes movement of the valve operating member 9 to corresponding longitudinal positions.

The front plate 5 carries a synchronous timing motor 13. This motor through a gear train generally indicated as 14 drives a time dial 15 clockwise at a speed of one revolution in seven days. The gear train alsointermittently drives a time cycle shaft 16 counterclockwise at a speed of approximately one revolution in ninety minutes.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the seven day time dial is arranged in accordance with the construction shown in my Patent No. 2,96 0,5 82, dated Nov. 15, 19 60. This time dial includes seven trippers 18, one for each day of the .week. The time dial also includes seven arrows 19, one for each of the trippers. These arrows cooperate with the Correct Time scale 20 carried by the front plate 5. The cycle shaft 16 is supported between plates 1 and 5 and carries a knob 21 at its front end, and at a cycle dial 22 at the rear of the timer as shown in FIGURE 3.

As described in my Patent No. 2,960,582, the cycle shaft 16 is normally stationary and rotates only during a regeneration cycle. This shaft 16 and knob 21 are started into a regeneration cycle by selected trip members 18. As described in my patent, the trip members 18 which are moved to the outer position will cause a revolution of the cycle shaft on the days indicated at a predetermined time such as 2:00 am. The trip members 18 that are left in the inner positions will skip the regeneration cycle on the days indicated.

Summarizing the cycle control shaft 16 is normally stationary. It is caused to rotate through a revolution on selected days by trippers on the seven day dial 15. It also may be manually started into a cycle simply by rotating the knob 21 slightly in a clockwise direction (FIGURE 1).

The timing motor 13 also drives through another portion of the gear train, a gear 24 (FIGURE 2). The gears for this portion of the gear train are selected to drive the gear 24 continuously at a speed of approximately one revolution in three hours. The gear 24 is carried by a rotating bearing member 25 supported by the middle plate 4. This member 25 also supports one end of a centering shaft 26 which extends through the mechanism into the operating member 12. The member 25 is preferably a part formed of sintered metal, and includes a knurled drive portion 27 which is circular as shown in FIGURE 4. Located on the shaft 26 to the rear of the driver 27 is a cup-like spring winder 28. This spring winder also includes a rearwardly extending hub portion 29 which extends into a cup-like spring driven member 30. This member 30 include-s a rearwar-dly extending hub portion 31 which rotates in mounting plate 1 and support the operating member 12. Preferably this operating member 12 is detachable and is secured to the hub 31 by screws 32. The shaft 26 serves to maintain all of the parts in .correct alignment. As shown in FIGURE 8 a spring 34 is located between the hub 29 of winder member 28 and the spring driven member 30. One end of the spring 34 is formed to fit into a slot 35 in the hub 29. The other end of the spring 34 is formed to fit into a slot 36 in the rim of the spring driven member 30.

The motor 13 serves through gear 24 to maintain the spring 34 in fully wound condition. When the spring reaches the fully wound condition, a clutch is released which permits the motor to continue running to drive the timer portion of the mechanism. The clutch mechanism is shown in FIGURES 4, 5, 6, and 7 and will now be described.

Referring to FIGURE 4, a clutch member 38 is pivoted to the rear portion of the spring winder 28 on a stud 39. This clutch element 38 includes a portion 40 adapted to engage the knurled circular driver 27. This clutch member 38 is biased by a light spring 41 into engagement with the driver 27. The clutch member 38 is controlled by a clutch operator 42. This operator is pivotally mounted on the spring winder 28 by a stud 43. The clutch operator 42 has an outwardly extending portion 44 which extends through a notch 45 formed in the outer perimeter of the winder 28. This clutch operator 42 is adapted to be engaged by a forwardly extending lug 46 on the spring driven member 30. The clutch operator 42 is formed with a forwardly extending lug 47 and the clutch member 38 is provided with a similar forwardly extending lug 48. A torsion spring 49 is supported by the pivot 43. One end of this spring engages a second forwardly extending lug on the clutch operating member 42. The other end of the spring 49 is formed so as to overlie the forwardly extending lugs 47 and 48 on the clutch operator and clutch member respectively.

In operation the winder 28 is released from the lever 27 when the spring 34 is wound to a predetermined tension. This tension is determined by the angular relationship between the winder 28 and the spring driven member 30. This in turn is determined by engagement of the clutch operator extension 44 with the lug 46 on the spring driven member 30. 7

As previously described, the spring driven member 30 rotates the valve operator member 12. As will be described later, the operator member 12 is restrained from rotating by means of the timer mechanism and is allowed to rotate for predetermined angles at predetermined times for accomplishing the regeneration cycle.

When rotation of the spring driven member 30 is restrained by the timing mechanism the spring will be wound to the predetermined tension and then the clutch released.

FIGURE 6 shows the clutch operating parts in the position assumed when the spring is .being wound. At this time the portion 40 of the clutch member is engaging the knurled or serrated portion of the driver 27. This driver is rotating in a counter-clockwise direction and thus rotates the spring winder 2.8 in this same direction. At this time, the spring driven member 30 is being restrained and hence the lug 46 on the spring driven member is stationary. The winder member 28 is being driven counterclockwise and hence the portion 44 of the clutch operator is approaching the lug 46. At this time the spring 49 is restrained by lug 47 on the clutch operator and does not interfere with the action of spring 41 in biasing the clutch operator 38 toward the driving drum 27 As thespr-ing becomes wound to its fully wound condition, the portion 44 of the clutch operator engages the stud 46 as shown in FIGURE 4. Continued rotation of the spring winder 28 in the counterclockwise direction causes rotation of the clutch operator 42 in the clockwise direction. This initial motion causes the spring 49 to engage -the lug 48 on the clutch operator 38. It will be noted that a space is now existing between this spring and the lug 47 on the clutch operator.

Continued rotation of the clutch operator causes the clutch operator to directly engage the clutch member 38 and rotate it in a counter-clockwise direction for disengaging it from the driving drum 27. When this occurs,

the parts assume the positions shown in FIGURE 7. At

this time the spring 49 is once again engaging both abutments 47 and 48. This spring 49 is designed to be stronger than the biasing spring 41 and thus maintains the clutch member 38 completely disengaged from the driving drum 27. The timing motor is now free to operate without the spring winding load. Anytime the actuator 12 is released by the timing mechanism, the spring driven member 30 will be allowed to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 6 causing the abutment 46 to disengage the portion 44 of the clutch operator. This permits the spring 41 to move the clutch member 38 back into engaging position and winding of the spring is resumed. The stronger spring 49 at this time is restrained by the abutment 47 which allows the weaker spring 41 to move the parts to the positions shown.

When the clutch is released, the re-action of the spring 34 would tend to drive the spring member 28 in a clock- Wise direction as seen in FIGURE 4. In order to prevent this, an anti-back device is provided. This consists of a pawl 51 which is biased against the outer perimeter of the spring winder '28. This pawl 51 is carried on a stud 52 which in turn is carried on the front plate 4. For best results, the outer perimeter .of the spring winder 28 is knurled so that the pawl 51 has a good gripping action.

From the description thus far it will be apparent that the timing motor 13 serves both to drive the timer mechanism and to maintain the spring 34 in fully wound condition. When the spring is fully wound, the clutch is completely disengaged so that the motor is free of the spring winding load. At this time reverse movement of the spring winder is prevented by the anti-back device 51. Whenever the actuator 12 is released, the spring 34 is capable of driving it. This movement causes re-engagement of the clutch and resumption of spring winding.

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 9, the actuator member 12 is of cup-shaped configuration having an outer perimeter 55 and a rear wall 56. Molded to the rear wall 56 is a hub portion 57 that fits over the hub portion 3 1 of the spring driven member 30. This construction provides a generally circular track 58 between the hub portion 57 and the rim 55. Also molded into the piece are stop abutments 59, 60, 61 and 62. The stop abutments 59 and 61 extend inwardly from the rim 55, whereas the stop abutments 60 and 62 extend outwardly from the hub portion 57. The stop abutments serve to stop rotation of the actuator member 12 at predetermined angular positions depending upon the requirements for the particular valve being operated. Control of the stop abutments is performed by a stop control lever 64 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 65 which is freely supported between the base plate 1 and the middle plate 4. This lever 64 is located at the rear of the base plate 1 and extends underneath the actuator member 12. This lever carries a roller 66 extending into the track 58 and into the path of the stop abutments. The lever 64 also extends into the space between the base plate 1 and the cycle dial 22. The lever carries a rearwardly extending roller 67. This roller 67 is engaged when the cycle dial rot-ates by a fixed starting pin 68 carried by the cycle dial 22, and a series of adjustable pins 69, 70 and 71. The adjustable pins 69, 70 and 71 are carried on adjustable clip members 72, 73 and 74 (FIG. 3) which are mounted at desired tripping times on the cycle dial 22..

is stationary with its pin 11 at its extreme left-hand limit.

This has pulled the valve stem 9 of the water softener valve to its extreme left-hand position which is the Service position for the valve. At this time the roller 66 on stop lever 64 is engaging the abutment 59 of the actuator 12. This prevents the spring 34 from rotating the actuator 12 beyond this Service position.

When the actuator initially moved to the position shown, the abutment 46 on the spring driven member 30 rotated counter-clockwise as seen in FIGURE 6 away from portion 44 of the clutch operator 42. This permitted counter-clockwise rotation of the clutch operator, releasing the tension of spring 49 on the projection 48 carried by the clutch member 38. This in turn permitted the light spring 41 to rotate the clutch member clockwise for engaging it with the driver 27. Operation of the timer motor drives the driver 27 in a counter-clockwise direction winding the spring '34. This driving continues until the clutch operator projection 44 catches up with the projection 46 on the spring driven member. Continued rotation of the spring winder after members 44 and 46 engage causes clockwise rotation of the clutch operator 42 about its pivot. Initial clockwise movement withdraws projection 47 from the spring 49, thus causing this spring to bias the clutch member 40 in a counter-clockwise direction towards dis-engaging position. This initial biasing action does not cause the clutch to disengage as the force of disengagement is greater than the pressure applied by the spring. After the spring 49 has biased the clutch member towards disengaging position, the operator 42 directly engages the clutch member. Continued rotation forces the clutch member into disengaging position and the biasing effect of the spring 49 drives the clutch member 38 into complete disengagement with the driver 27 as shown in FIGURE 7. The, biasing effect of the spring 49 is greater than the effect of the spring 41 so that the spring 49 actually overcomes spring 41 at this stage of operation. The anti-back device 51 at this time prevents the reaction of spring 34 from rotating the spring winder 28 in the reverse direction.

The timer motor is now in practically a completely unloaded condition and drives the 7 day dial clockwise as seen in FIGURE 1. The cycle shaft 16 and the cycle dial 22 remain stationary until the shaft is started in a counterclockwise direction .by. a selected tripper 1-8 on the time dial. When this occurs the gears driving the cycle shaft engage and cause the cycle shaft to rotate one revolution in a counter-clockwise direction as seen from the front of the timer. This causes rotation of the cycle dial 22 in a clockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 3. When the cycle dial rotates in this direction, the fixed starting pin 68 engages roller 67 carried by lever 64. This rotates the lever 64 counter-clockwise thus removing the stop roller 66 from the path of the abutment 59. The roller 66 now assumes the position shown in dotted lines and is in the path of the next abutment 60. The spring 34 now rotates the spring driven member 30 and the actuator member 12 clockwise until the stop abutment 60 engages the stop roller 66. This movement of the actuator 12 serves to move the valve stem 9 to another position for starting the regeneration cycle of the water softener. The valve will now remain in this position until the adjustable stop pin 69 carried by trip member 72 is rotated into engagement with the roller 67. This pin 69 serves to rotate the stop lever 64 clockwise back to the full line position shown. The stop roller 66 now disengages the stop abutment 60 but is in the path of the next stop abutment 61. The spring 34 now rotates the actuator member to this new position where abutment 61 engages the stop roller 66. This moves the valve stem 9 to another position for initiating another phase of the regeneration cycle.

The valve will now remain in this new position until the adjustable pin 70 on the cycle dial 22 engages the roller 67 and rotates the stop lever counter-clockwise for releasing abutment 61. The stop roller 66 is now in the path of the abutment 62 and the spring 34 drives the actuator one more step which causes the valve to be moved to a third position.

Later the adjustable stop pin 71 on the cycle dial 22 engages roller 67 causing it to rotate clockwise releasing it from abutment 62. This roller now is in the path of the abutment 59 and the spring 34 rotates the actuator and valve back to the service position as shown in FIGURE 3. The cycle dial 22 continues to rotate back to the starting position as shown in FIGURE 3. At this time the driving gears are disengaged and the cycle dial stops in this position until it is restarted either automatically by the timer or manually by turning shaft 21.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a combination timer and actuator in which a light duty timer motor drives the timer mechanism and also supplies the power required for actuating the valve or other device being controlled. This actuation at predetermined intervals is positive and rapid and the power available for this rapid actuation is many times the power output of the timer motor. This result is achieved by the automatic spring winding mechanism which slowly rewinds the spring after each release of power.

It will also be apparent that due to the automatic spring winding mechanism, control of the valve is achieved simply by releasing and then stopping movement of the actuator by the timer mechanism. This simplifies the timer mechanism and provides easy adjustment of all phases of the valve actuation cycle. This is achieved simply by arranging the trippers on the cycle dial the desired number of minutes apart.

It should be noted that the actuator member 12 is a single detachable part which carries the stop abutments on one side and the valve actuating pin 11 on the other side. This is an important feature as it permits volume production of the basic units. Any completed basic unit then can be adapted to the customers specific requirements simply by attaching the correct actuator element 12. It will be apparent that such elements can be designed with the necessary location of the drive pin and abutments to give the necessary valve positions. Also by providing more or less abutments, the number of valve posi tions during a given cycle can be determined.

For sake of simplicity in illustration, the actuator 12 is shown as driving the link 10 through the integral pin 11. It will be understood, however, that the actuator 12 may be formed with a cam surface instead of the pin 11, or can even be formed with both a cam surface and such pm.

While I have shown it and described a preferred form of the invention it will be apparent that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a time controlled actuator, a motor, an operating member, a spring arranged to drive said operating member, motion transmitting means between said motor and spring for causing the motor to wind the spring, said motion transmitting means including a clutch, means for releasing the clutch when the spring is wound to a predetermined tension to release the motor from the load of spring winding, means for preventing back-up of the spring when the clutch is released, a movable stop mem ber arranged to restrain the operating member in a predetermined position, said stop member being movable to a release position permitting movement of the operating member by the spring, a timing mechanism also driven by said motor, and means actuated by the timing mechanism for moving said stop member to the release position at a predetermined time.

2. In a time controlled actuator, a motor, an operating member, a spring arranged to drive said operating member, motion transmitting means between said motor and spring for causing the motor to wind the spring, said motion transmitting means including a clutch, means for releasing the clutch When the spring is wound to a predetermined tension to release the motor from the load of spring winding, means for preventing back-up of the spring when the clutch is released, means for stopping the operating member at a plurality of different positions, said last mentioned means including a plurality of abutments driven by the operating member and a movable stop member arranged to selectively engage or release said abutments, a timing mechanism also driven by said motor, and means actuated by the timing mechanism for moving the operating member to releasing position at predetermined times. 3. In a time controlled actuator, a motor, an operatmg member, a spring arranged to drive said operating member, motion transmitting means between said motor and spring for causing the motor to wind the spring, said motion transmitting means including a clutch, means for releasing the clutch when the spring is wound to a predetermined tension to release the motor from the load of spring winding, means for preventing back-up of the spring when the clutch is released, the operating member being formed with a generally circular track having alternate abutments located on opposite sides of the track, a lever, a stop carried by the lever and extending into the track for engaging said abutments, the parts being arranged so that rocking of the lever in one direction moves the stop out of engagement with one abutment and into the path of the next abutment and rocking of the lever in the opposite direction moves the stop out of engagement with the last mentioned abutment into the path of the next following abutment, and timing means for rocking the lever alternately in one direction and then the other at predetermined times.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 in which the timing means is driven by said motor.

5. A device as defined in claim 3 means includes a rotating member adjustable trip members arranged to rock the lever.

6. A device as defined in claim 3 in which the operating member is detachable from the remainder of the actuator,

in which the timing carrying angularly said operating member having the track and abutments on one side, and an actuating element on the other side thereof.

7. In a time controlled actuator, a timing motor, a circular driver rotated by the timing motor, a spring, a rotatable spring winder attached to one end of the spring, a rotatable spring driven member attached to the other end of the spring, said driver, spring Winder and spring driven member being rotatable about a common axis, a

clutch member pivoted on the spring winder and arranged to engage the driver when in one position, and to disengage the driver when in another position, a clutch operator also pivoted on the spring winder and having a portion arranged to operate the clutch member, said clutch operator having a portion actuated by the spring driven member when the spring winder and spring driven member are at a predetermined angular relationship for operating the clutch member to releasing position, means for preventing back-up of the spring when the clutch member is released, a movable stop member arranged to restrain the operating member in a predetermined position, said stop member being movable to a release position permitting movement of the operating member by the spring, a timing mechanism also driven by said motor, and means actuated by the timing mechanism for moving said stop member to the release position at a predetermined time.

8. In a power actuator, a motor, a circular driver rotated by the motor, a spring, a rotatable spring winder attached to one end of the spring, a rotatable spring driven member attached to the other end of the spring,

said driver, spring winder and spring driven member being rotatable about a common axis, a clutch member pivoted on the spring winder and arranged to engage the driver when in one position, and to disengage the driver when in another position, a clutch operator also pivoted on the spring Winder and having a portion arranged to operate the clutch member, said clutch operator having a portion actuated by the spring driven member when the spring winder and spring driven member are at a predetermined angular relationship for operating the clutch member in disengaging direction, means for preventing back-up of the spring when the clutch member is disengaged, a movable stop member arranged to restrain the spring driven member in a predetermined position, said stop member being movable to a release position permitting movement of the spring driven member, and means for controlling said stop member.

9. A device as recited in claim 8 in which the clutch member is biased in engaging direction by a relatively weak spring and in which the clutch operator actuates a relatively strong spring opposing the bias of the weak spring, the parts being arranged so that the clutch operator first applies spring pressure to the clutch member and then forces the clutch member to disengage the driver, said relatively strong spring being proportioned to overcome the weak spring causing the clutch member to separate from the driver.

No references cited.

EDGAR W. GEOGHEGAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A TIME CONTROLLED ACTUATOR, A MOTOR, AN OPERATING MEMBER, A SPRING ARRANGED TO DRIVE SAID OPERATING MEMBER, MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS BETWEEN SAID MOTOR AND SPRING FOR CAUSING THE MOTOR TO WIND THE SPRING, SAID MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS INCLUDING A CLUTCH, MEANS FOR RELEASING THE CLUTCH WHEN THE SPRING IS WOUND TO A PREDETERMINED TENSION TO RELEASE THE MOTOR FROM THE LOAD OF SPRING WINDING, MEANS FOR PREVENTING BACK-UP OF THE SPRING WHEN THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED, A MOVABLE STOP MEMBER ARRANGED TO RESTRAIN THE OPERATING MEMBER IN A PRE-DETERMINED POSITION, SAID STOP MEMBER BEING MOVABLE TO A RELEASE POSITION PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF THE OPERATING MEMBER BY THE SPRING, A TIMING MECHANISM ALSO DRIVEN BY SAID MOTOR, AND MEANS ACTUATED BY THE TIMING MECHANISM FOR MOVING SAID STOP MEMBER TO THE RELEASE POSITION AT A PREDETERMINED TIME. 